Huskies hurting at QB
For seven weeks, there was no question that prized Washington recruit Jake Locker would spend his first season on the sidelines learning.
One bad step by Isaiah Stanback on Saturday night might have changed Washington’s entire plan for Locker.
Stanback injured his right foot scrambling during the fourth quarter of Washington’s 27-17 loss to Oregon State, the Huskies’ second straight defeat. Stanback’s right ankle turned outward as he planted to make a cut.
Head Coach Tyrone Willingham wouldn’t elaborate on Stanback’s injury after the game, and Washington officials didn’t expect any update on the quarterback until Monday at the earliest.
Nevertheless, the team’s mood was somber. Offensive coordinator Tim Lappano wasn’t optimistic about Stanback, saying “it doesn’t look good.”
“It’s unfortunate for him and the type of year he was having – what he brought to this football team and what he brought to this offense,” Lappano said.
Should Stanback miss any length of time, it will presumably leave the quarterbacking duties to junior Carl Bonnell with Johnny DuRocher as his backup.
All season, the Huskies’ plan has been to redshirt Locker. Lappano said the coaches this week may revisit their use of Locker, but wouldn’t comment further. With the Huskies two wins shy of becoming bowl eligible, Locker could get a chance if the possibility of a bowl game in December outweighs playing him as a true freshman.
As a senior at Ferndale High School, about 95 miles north of Seattle, Locker led his team to the Class 3A state title while throwing for 1,603 yards and 27 touchdowns, and running for another 24 scores.
(18) Boise St. 40, NMSU 28
Ian Johnson scored four first-half touchdowns and ran for 192 yards and the Broncos (7-0, 3-0 WAC) defeated the Aggies (2-4, 0-2) on Sunday night at Las Cruces, N.M.
The Broncos earlier in the day landed at No. 15 in the first BCS standings of the season. They were solid offensively, but allowed 526 passing yards by Aggies sophomore quarterback Chase Holbrook, the nation’s total offense leader.
Miami (Ohio) 38, Buffalo 31
Austin Sykes scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard run in the second quarter and later rushed for a game-tying five-yard touchdown as the RedHawks (1-6, 1-3 MAC) rallied from a 21-14 third quarter deficit to defeat the Bulls (1-5, 0-4 MAC) at Amherst, N.Y.
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed after a snowstorm left most of the area without power. With driving bans still in effect Sunday, only a couple hundred fans showed up.